Kremlin: only sanctions prevent Nord Stream gas pipeline from working

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Nothing stands on the way in which of Russian fuel exports to Europe by way of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline aside from technological issues attributable to Western sanctions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday, a day earlier than one other deliberate upkeep shutdown.

Russian vitality big Gazprom has introduced it’s going to shut the pipeline for 3 days from Wednesday to undertake upkeep of a single pumping unit on the Portovaya compressor station.

Peskov was requested if there are ensures that Gazprom will restart fuel flows by way of Nord Stream 1 after the upkeep.

“There are ensures that, aside from technological issues attributable to sanctions, nothing hinders the provides,” he replied.

Pure fuel costs have soared in Europe to all-time highs amid tight provides from Russia. It has been pumping fuel by way of Nord Stream 1 at solely 20% of capability. citing issues with tools.

The European Union rejects Moscow’s model that turbine issues and sanctions are guilty. France accused Moscow on Tuesday of utilizing vitality provide as “a weapon of warfare” as Gazprom lowered deliveries to certainly one of its essential utilities, Engie, and ready to halt flows via Nord Stream 1.

Peskov instructed reporters: “European nations, Canada, the USA, Nice Britain imposed sanctions in opposition to the Russian Federation, which don’t enable finishing up regular upkeep and restore work, and likewise don’t enable authorized registration of the return of elements and assemblies to their locations of operation.”

He added: “There aren’t any different obstacles for Russia to fulfil its obligations.”

The front-month fuel contract in Europe was down 3% at 259 euros/MWh on Tuesday morning, off all-time highs hit final week however greater than 5 occasions ranges seen a 12 months in the past.

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; Modifying by Mark Trevelyan)